The EYC One Design Classic, held on June 24 2017 was the most wind we have had since the 2014 Rendezvous to Herrington Harbor and the Leukemia Cup in 2012. Like those races the day started with winds in the 20-25 kt. range with a few higher gusts. Also, like the Leukemia races in 2012 where all of the boats(7) raced with reefed mains, last week, 2 boats started with a reef(Skimmer & Escape) and 2 without(Magic & Halcyon). All boats raced with full mains after that. There were only 2 classes in the regattas, J/70's and Alerions. The J/22's and J/80's couldn't get enough boats to race.
The EYC Race Committee finally got a course set at about 11:40 AM inside of R-2 (they were having difficulty getting the anchor to set) and sent both classes on a windward/leeward course of 4 legs with a weather mark at a heading of 315 degrees and a distance of 3/4 mile. 2 races were run on the same course. The last 2 races had a change of the weather mark to 285 degrees. The last race of the day was finished upwind on a shortened course after 3 legs.
The racing was close, particularly in the first 2 races that had the most wind. As the wind slowly lightened a tad and got shiftier and puffier, the distance between boats increased a bit, as the courses got to be a little more tactical. At the end of the day, the wind was in the 10 to 18 range.
After racing we all had a good time together at Eastport Yacht Club for after race party. The fleet finished - Skimmer - 1, Halcyon - 2, Escape - 3 and Magic - 4. Magic had to skip the last race to catch a plane. Complete results are on the EYC website.
Complete race results are as follows: